New MP hit by double whammy

FOLLOWING the elation of victory, John Leech is now facing a backlash.

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NEW Withington MP John Leech is facing a baptism of fire three weeks after deposing Labour's Keith Bradley.

The Lib Dem's first month in office has already been beset by stinging criticisms about his 'ruthless' election strategy - and now he finds himself fighting 'a war on two fronts'.

The invective has mainly centred around the MP's pre-election claims that Christie Hospital could close under Labour.

The dire warnings were seen as key to Mr Leech's election success but health bosses have since rubbished the idea.

On top of that, the under-fire parliamentarian has also been vilified for keeping his post as a Chorlton Park councillor - he can claim up to £15,000 a year in expenses on top of his MP's salary - while busying himself with the affairs of parliament at the same time.

Over the past week The Reporter has received letters from members of the public claiming Mr Leech is compromising his position as a Chorlton councillor and letting down its residents.

And, as if that wasn't enough, a new website has been launched to keep tabs on his actions in a sort of political eye-spy. Bloggers have already used the site to fire off withering attacks on the MP's character.

Mr Leech, however, came out all guns blazing this week, claiming it was 'sour grapes' after former MP Keith Bradley was ousted after 18 years.

Mr Leech said: "I'm finding my feet, but it's disappointing spending a lot of the time trying to justify what I'm doing because the Labour Party seems to be stabbing me in the back."

The Liberal Democrat was elected to the council last June and with his party needing to take just eight more seats in next May's local elections to have a majority. This could have played a part in his decision to stay for the time being.

He says he can serve his council constituents, while performing parliamentary duties.

He said: "I represent a ward within the constituency and issues that will come to me as a councillor and MP are interchangeable. I will get the flow of information from the council that will be useful in other work that I do. I intend to use the salary I receive as a councillor to help fund work within the constituency like paying for staff and offices. I won't actually be financially."

Mr Leech also maintains Christie Hospital could still face service cutbacks despite a leading health boss rubbishing the claims.

He said he was just highlighting the fears of doctors at the hospital, who raised concerns about a review into cancer services across the North West, due to be published in June.

But many constituents are angry that cancer patients could have been used as political pawns and had unnecessary stress piled on them fearing a loss in vital services.